10 reasons why I shouldn't go to the poetry reading

Because the bus was late.

Because my daughter needs a folding poster board
for a science project.

Because I won't get to eat dinner.

Because the poems will all be experimental.
I won't understand them.

I won't fit in.

It looks like rain.

Because I'm going out again
tomorrow night.

Because I need something to wear.

Because on the way home I saw two brown shoes
placed by a telephone pole,
but they weren't my size.

---

I ran out of reasons at nine,
so I went out for some poetry
and a glass of cheap wine.

Cheap Wine and Poetry at Richard Hugo House, with the launch of the latest issue of When It Rains from the Ground Up.